Peterborough Blogs
A Year In Review By Felicia Massey
/I have the privilege of writing stories each day that showcase the passions, efforts and accomplishments of some very inspiring people in the community.
As the year wraps up and I celebrate three months with PTBOCanada, I want to share my top five favourite stories — in chronological order — that I have enjoyed writing in 2022.
The sixth annual Pulling for Dementia Fire Truck Pull was the first story I had the opportunity of covering “in the field.”
The World Alzheimer’s Day event raised money for programs and services through the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton by challenging teams to pull a 44,000-pound firetruck the fastest as supporters cheered them on at the Peterborough Airport.
At the time of my story the online fundraiser had raised just under $8,000. Today, the fundraiser sits at $9,225 for the Alzheimer Society.
When beloved kindergarten teacher Mrs. Lytle was diagnosed with breast cancer, the Keith Wightman school community rallied in support of her during their annual Terry Fox walk. Staff and students honoured Mrs. Lytle with cheers, high-fives and hand-written notes as she visited with her class.
I am grateful to have felt the tremendous impact that Mrs. Lytle continues to have on her school community.
After 43 years, Ken and Deb Fraser decided to retire as owners of The Main Ingredient. The Fraser’s opened the environmentally-conscious bulk health food store in 1979, promoting the use of reusable containers to reduce excess waste.
Former store manager Mike Hall was asked to take over the business in 2021, along with his wife Whitney. The Hall’s spoke optimistically about the future of The Main Ingredient, recognizing that this business endeavour was a lot different than their music promoting.
Seeing a cherished small business continue to flourish with new ownership and perspective was really special.
I had the privilege of interviewing psychic medium Theresa Caputo from the TLC series Long Island Medium!
Prior to her Peterborough Memorial Centre appearance, we talked about her podcast Hey Spirit and her 10th anniversary of touring, where she guides audience members through grief and healing at her live shows.
I was then able to meet Theresa and experience the live show with my Mom, which was very surreal.
Author Patti Kimball spoke with me about her grief memoir ‘Siren on Repeat: What My Best Friend’s Death Taught Me About Hope and Grief.’
After losing one of her best friends at just 14 years old, Patti processed her grief through writing. She outlined to me the importance of preserving Aprile’s memory, as well as teaching readers that everyone’s “grief journey” looks different, and happens on their own terms.
Patti shared a number of stories about her times with Aprile and I feel honoured to have gotten a glimpse into their friendship.
Honourable mention — Clothing Store 'The Neighbourhood Vintage' Opens Its Doors in Downtown Peterborough
Here are a few of my favourite pictures I took of The Neighbourhood Vintage! The vintage clothing store owned by Jacquelyn Craft carries a number of vendors, including her own brand Minty Vintage.
On a personal note…
Since graduating from Trent University and Loyalist College in June, my journalistic endeavours have been nothing short of incredible. My job is a dream and I couldn’t ask for a better City to practice journalism.
I look forward to seeing you around in 2023!
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Applications Now Open for Citizen Appointments to City of Peterborough Advisory Committees
/The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for positions on a number of advisory committees, offering the opportunity to provide input on the provision of various municipal services and programs in the community announced Wednesday.
Citizen appointments are volunteer opportunities, and applicants must be residents of the City of Peterborough.
The City of Peterborough “strives to embrace the spirit of accessibility, inclusion and equity, and values diversity in its workplaces, on its Boards and Committees,” according to a press release.
There are vacancies on the following committees:
Accessibility Advisory Committee – 3 vacancies (4-year term)
Age-Friendly Peterborough Advisory Committee – 1 vacancy (2-year term)
Airport Strategic Initiatives Committee – 2 vacancies (2-year term)
Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – 5 vacancies (4-year term)
Citizens’ War Memorial Advisory Committee – 1 vacancy (4-year term)
Committee of Adjustment – 5 vacancies (4-year term)
Community Investment Grants Advisory Committee – 8 vacancies (3-year term)
Museums and Archives Advisory Committee – 1 vacancy (4-year term)
Peterborough Public Library – 6 vacancies (4-year term)
Planning Advisory Committee – 4 vacancies (4-year term)
Police Services Board - 1 vacancy, (4-year term)
Property Standards Committee – 5 vacancies (4-year term)
Tree and Woodlands Appeals Committee – 3 vacancies (4-year term)
Applications will be reviewed by the Citizen Appointment Selection Committee, and an interview may be required. The Committee will make recommendations to Council for their consideration.
Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 13, and are available online at www.peterborough.ca/committees. Hard copies are available at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall (500 George St. N).
City Services Offered With Modified Holiday Hours in Peterborough
/Various City of Peterborough services will be offering modified hours, with some closures, over the holidays from Friday to Jan. 3.
There are no changes to curbside garbage and recycling collection over the holiday period. For missed recycling collection, please phone Emterra at 705-742-3139. For missed garbage collection, phone Public Works at 705-745-1386.
Essential services, such as emergency services, public works and wastewater treatment, continue uninterrupted. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk’s Office, Building Services and Planning and the Heritage Preservation Office will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23, reopening with regular hours on Jan. 3.
While the Social Services administration office is closed over the holiday period, individuals can phone 705-926-0096 at any time for emergency shelter services. City-operated childcare programs will be closed starting at noon on Dec. 23 and reopen with regular hours on Jan. 3.
Most recreation and community services are open with revised hours of operation.
The Quaker Foods City Square outdoor rink is open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Dec. 24 the rink is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Unscheduled rink closures may be required due to inclement weather and ice conditions.
There will be holiday adjustments to Transit schedules from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7, including suspended late-night trips, as well as trips ending early on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. There is no Transit service on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. For full details about Transit holiday service and Transit Customer Service hours, please visit www.peterborough.ca/transit or phone 705-745-0525.
Closed from noon on Dec. 23 until 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 3:
City Hall, including the Tax Office, Clerk's Office, Building Services and Planning
Social Services office
Regular hours for most City services resume on Jan. 3. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.
For the full list of service hours, visit the City of Peterborough website.
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Extended Hours for One Roof Community Centre From Thursday To Sunday
/One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service to 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday due to cold temperatures and significant snowfall in the forecast for the Peterborough area.
Located at 99 Brock St., a meal is served between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. while providing warming room services. A full description of meals and other services that One Roof offers is online.
Information about how to protect yourself from extreme cold is on the Peterborough Public Health website.
Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter. If shelter capacity is full, temporary alternative accommodations for overnight stays may be made available. Contact the shelters first for space:
YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.
Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.
Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.
Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875